Plant Controller

LHH; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Annual bonus opportunity

Job summary

LHH partners with a growing manufacturing organization to recruit an experienced Plant Controller who will lead all plant-level accounting and financial operations. This role serves as a key business partner to plant leadership, delivering financial insights, cost analysis, operational support, and strategic guidance to drive profitability and continuous improvement across the facility.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing finance background, deep knowledge of cost accounting,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of accounting/finance experience in manufacturing.
• Prior plant controller or manufacturing finance leadership experience required.
• Strong cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Own standard costing, inventory valuation, and product costing accuracy.
• Analyze manufacturing performance, labor/material usage, overhead absorption, and productivity metrics.
• Partner with Operations to identify cost reductions and profitability improvements.
• Prepare and present monthly results and KPIs to plant and corporate leadership.
• Lead audits and coordinate with external auditors; mentor the accounting team.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

ERP systems

Excel

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

JD Edwards

Microsoft Dynamics

Infor

Epicor

Job description

We are partnering with a growing manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead all plant-level accounting and financial operations. This role serves as a key business partner to plant leadership, providing financial insights, cost analysis, operational support, and strategic guidance to help drive profitability and continuous improvement across the facility.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing finance background, deep knowledge of cost accounting, and the ability to influence operational decision-making in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant accounting and finance activities, including month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Own standard costing processes, inventory valuation, and product costing accuracy
• Analyze manufacturing performance, labor utilization, material usage, overhead absorption, and production efficiency metrics
• Partner with Operations leadership to identify cost reduction opportunities and improve plant profitability
• Prepare and present monthly financial results and key performance indicators (KPIs) to plant and corporate leadership
• Ensure accurate inventory accounting through cycle count programs and physical inventory oversight
• Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with company policies and financial procedures
• Support capital expenditure planning, investment analysis, and ROI evaluations
• Assist with annual operating plans, strategic planning initiatives, and financial modeling
• Lead financial audits and coordinate with external auditors as needed
• Develop and mentor accounting and finance team members
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance, operations, and reporting processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within manufacturing environments
• Prior Plant Controller or manufacturing finance leadership experience required
• Strong expertise in cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Experience supporting plant operations and partnering with manufacturing leadership teams
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within multi-site manufacturing organizations
• Exposure to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, or Epicor
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiencies and plant profitability improvements
• Annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing organization

If you are a hands-on manufacturing finance leader who enjoys partnering with operations and driving business performance, we encourage you to apply.